The Real Meaning of Christmas

Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio is the site of this Christmas display with over 3.5 million lights. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)This is my first Christmas away from home. My wife and I got married in January 2008 and our first Christmas as a couple was happily gifted with a great blessing- our first born son. We celebrated our first Christmas not only as a couple but as a family. I was very happy then. Christmas then was so meaningful.
Now that I am away from home, I am caught by a reflection on the real meaning of Christmas. Is the real meaning of Christmas still visible in your heart when you are away from your family, when you are sad, lonely, or not feeling good? Is the meaning still clear or now vague?
I did not ask this question before. I never ever thought that Christmas is just but a trivial event in the country I now live in. I never thought that in the other side of the world Christmas is such a boring celebration.
Despite all these, the real meaning of Christmas for me is still very clear. It is still very clear in my heart the feeling of joy that Jesus came or bothered to come on this beautiful planet filled with many sinful people who will in the end torture him, reject him, deny him, and betray him and later on kill him.
I have therefore nothing to complain about the feeling of sadness because it's too far from the uncomfortable and painful experience that Jesus was about to experience after his birth.
To me the real meaning of Christmas is not simply about giving. It's about selfless and authentic giving of oneself. It is very clear to me despite all my loneliness. Jesus has come for me, for you, for my children, and for everyone else. The saddest Christmas therefore is not about being far from a family but being far from Jesus.